Magnetoelectric effect of mildly conducting magnetostrictive/piezoelectric particulate composites

A relatively simple model has been developed to study the magnetoelectric effect of magnetostrictive/piezoelectric dilute particulate composites. For illustrative purpose, we calculate the magnetoelectric voltage coefficients of particulate composites of NiFe2O4 and lead zirconate titanate. By treating the inclusion/matrix as mildly conducting materials, we have reproduced all the key experimental features of magnetoelectric behavior of the particulate composites. In addition, the qualitative dependence of the calculated magnetoelectric voltage coefficients on the constituent's electrical conductivity is also in good agreement with recent experimental observations. (c) 2006 American Institute of Physics.